Work-plate for sewing-machines



(No Model.)

G. F. LITTLEJOHN.

WORK PLATE FOR SEWING MACHINES.

Pgiggnted May 24, 1887.

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UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. LITTLEJOHN, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO E. B. VVELOH, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

WORK-PLATE FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 363,655, dated May 24, 1887.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. LITTLEJ'OHN, of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVorlePlats for Sewing'Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists in a sewing-machine work-plate constructed and operating to substantially as hereinafter described and set forth.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a top view of my improved workplate. Fig.

: 2 represents a bottom view of the same.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in both the figures.

In Carrying out my invention I make the work-plate of a sewing-machine in two sections, a a, said sections collectively making a work-plate of the usual or any suitable form. The section a is affixed to the frame of the machine; but the section a is hinged or pivoted at b to the sect-ion a, or to any other suitable fixed support, and is capable of being turned on its pivot away from thefixed sec tion, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When the section a is thus displaced, the stitch-forming mechanism under it is fully exposed, so that it can be readily reached by the operator.

The section a includes the entire front and left-hand edges of the workplate,'and extends from said edges nearly to the feed-dog orifice or orifices c and needle hole 01 in the fixed section, as shown, so that when it is displaced a considerable part of the mechanism below the work-plate is exposed.

The hinge or pivot b is preferably at the 40 rear edge of the work-plate, as shown, so that the section a, when displaced, will be entirely out of the way of the operator at the front of the machine.

\Vhen the section ais in its normal position, it fits closely against the section a, as shown, and may be secured by any suitable fastening device.

I have here shown a spring-projected bolt or latch, e, fitted to slide in a socket, f, attached to the under side of the section a, and a lug, g, on the section a, having a recess into which the bolt 0 is forced by its spring h when the section a is moved to its operative position. The bolt 0 has a handle, 6', whereby it may be conveniently retracted to release the Section a.

The construction here shown is adapted for use in the sewing-machine described in my application for Letters Patent of the United States filed March 18, 1885, Serial No. 159,249.

If desired, the section a may be connected to the section a by pins or screws or other fastening deviees,instead of by a pivot, so that it can be entirely removed. Such means for securing would not be so convenient and de sirable, however, as the pivotal connection.

I am aware that previous to my invention it has been proposed to construct a work-plate of two hinged sections, and I do not, therefore, broadly claim the same. My. invention will be readily distinguished from such prior construction in that one of the sections is so shaped that it forms the lefthand portion of the work plate and also extends in front of the other section, thereby presenting an unbroken 7 face, which will not interfere with the free movement of the material over the plate, as might be the case in a work-plate where the two sections have their inner edges abutting against each other throughout their width.

I claim 1. A sewingmachine work-plate composed of a fixed section having an opening for the needle and feeding device, and a movable section, the front and left-hand edge portions of which are unbroken, and the said front edge portion of which extends across the entire front of the worleplate, as set forth.

2. A sewing-machine work-plate composed of a fixed section having an opening for the needle and feeding device, and a movable sec tion pivotally secured to said fixed section, the front and left-hand edge portions of which are unbroken, in combination with a fastening means, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 12th day of November, 1885.

CHARLES F. LITTLEJOHN. 

